Next Generation Nord Modular Shipping

(Click for a close-up)

Editor Screenshot (Click for a close-up)

Unveiled at the MusikMesse show in the Spring of this year, Clavia has now released of the Nord Modular G2 platform. This next generation modular adds a focus on live performance features. You will also find an extensive amount of new, powerful and exciting synthesizer building blocks that may be edited from the Modular G2 Patch Editor software.

Live performance musicians want to have tools to tweak. Whether you want to play traditional synth patches or control step sequencers in real-time or make cool sounds with delays, reverb and audio processing, the G2 offers plenty of knobs and controllers to tweak. Tweaking a step sequencer will be a lot of fun and extremely easy thanks to the real-time editing controls and the visual feedback from the LCD's.

The G2 offers fully assignable Modulation wheel, Pitch Stick and Rotary Encoders to turn, bend and tweak. The 4 separate LCD displays on the front panel give an overview on your patch creation. The G2 offers: Rotary encoders with circular LED graphs (the LED graphs instantly show the correct values of the parameters you choose); programmable Parameter Pages (which guide you in your sound editing work and patch creation); Patch Variations (which lets you create and store 8 different complete parameter setups per Patch) and Performance Mode (which make it possible to set up your own thrilling multi-patches from the 4 individual synthesizer Slots on the G2). Last, but not least, the Morph capabilities on the G2 offer enormous sonic variations. The G2's 8 Morph Groups per patch let you control sets of parameters from single internal control sources - and via MIDI.

Do you want to create your own Reverb processor, Delay or Physical Modelling? It's all there. The RAM capabilities in the G2 make it happen. And there's more: 4 analog Audio inputs including an XLR mic input with built-in amplifier give you plenty of room for inserting external signals and patch them.

The new Modular G2 Patch Editor is easy work with. Hook up the G2 to your PC via the USB connection and you're in. The architecture and visual overview, including user-defined coloring of modules and color-coded module groups, make it easy to patch and "lay out" your sounds. Thanks to the real-time USB communication, the G2 immediately responds to your patching and follows your moves. Most of the modules are self-optimizing, meaning that they adapt their bandwidth to the patched signals. This opens up for big patches and greater polyphony. The flexible modules also make it easy to alter functionality without needing to replace modules. But if you want to replace modules, Clavia has made that very easy too: replace the module and the cables will "jump" to the corresponding connections on the new module. The Modular G2 Patch Editor comes with more than 150 modules.

Nord Modular G2 V1.0 features

• Over 150 different types of modules including Oscillators, Filters, Envelopes, Vocoder, Physical Modelling, Reverb, Delay, Frequency Shifter, Pitch Tracker, Sequencers, LFOs, MIDI modules etc.
• Instant access to 120 patch parameters from the synth front panel makes it a breeze to tweak and edit your sounds in real-time.
• 8 Patch Variations which lets you create and store 8 complete parameter setups per Patch for instant recall fom the synth front panel.
• 8 Morph Groups per patch which lets you control sets of parameters from single control sources (Mod Wheel, Pitch Stick, Keyboard Velocity, After touch, Control Pedal etc.)
• Performances (multi patch set-ups)
• Internal audio and MIDI buses between the 4 Slots
• MIDI modules for control and automation of external MIDI equipment
• USB connection between G2 and PC Editor for real time communication
• 4 separate Audio Ins plus an XLR Mic input with built-in preamp.
• 4 separate Audio Outs
• Self-optimizing modules offer bigger patches and greater polyphony
• Intelligent "module replace" functionality with preserved cable connections
• Multiple Undo functionality in the Modular G2 Editor
• 3-octave velocity and aftertouch sensitive keyboard, Mod Wheel and Pitch Stick
• Internal RAM for Reverb and Delay effects, Physical Modelling and more
• Freely assignable Mod Wheel, Pitch Stick and Pedal inputs
• Large internal memory for storing Patches and Performances (multi patches)
• Extremely compact patch file size (3 kB) for easy sharing
• 24-bit resolution and 96 kHz internal processing
• 24-bit, 96 kHz ADCs and DACs
• Lightweight and very portable

Nord Modular G2 Engine

The Nord Modular G2 will also be available as a 19", 1 unit high, rack mountable synthesizer - the Nord Modular G2 Engine. It comes without the hardware user interface, pedal and mic inputs. Connect the Nord Modular G2 Engine via the USB port to the PC and do all your editing from the PC Patch Editor.

Pricing and Availability

The Nord Modular G2 virtual modular synthesizer keyboard is available now and lists for $2499 (Euro: 2.199). The Nord Modular G2 Engine is expected to ship in January 2004 and carry a list price of $1199 (Euro: 999).